The Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (COSQC) of Iraq develops standards for all economic sectors, conformity assessments, metrology/calibrations and quality certifications. To approach the numerous challenges in conformity assessment presented by Iraq reconstruction, the COSQC hopes to modernize each of its departments. In response to the COSQC’s request for technical assistance, the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) designed a U.S. Consultation Tour for the department heads of the COSQC to a.) introduce each COSQC department head to U.S. counterparts in specialized agencies, and private organizations; b.) give the delegates an overview of how voluntary standards and technical regulations are developed and encouraged or enforced in the States; and, c.) help the delegates understand how quality conformity assessments and accreditation are conducted in the US. Through visits with the National Institutes for Standards and Technology (NIST), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offices in Washington, D.C., the COSQC developed a better understanding of the U.S. system, and sought opportunities for technical assistance from experts to assist them with their reforms. The COSQC also renewed or strengthened relationships with key U.S. private standards-setting organizations at a critical time in the development of standards by Iraq, which will reduce the likelihood that standards in Iraq will act as a barrier to trade with the U.S. Throughout these visits, experts highlighted the “Bottom-up and market-driven” as opposed to “top-down and government-driven” approach in the development of voluntary standards by private organizations in the United States. Finally, the organization is also seeking to modernize 12 national laboratories in Iraq, which will certify materials to be used in the reconstruction, and will test for food and product safety. Through visits to the University of Philadelphia Materials Evaluation Lab and the Georgia Poultry Labs, the COSQC heads observed different types of testing equipment. These observations will assist the group in their efforts to modernize Iraq’s testing laboratories.